Help with engine build

Hi Guys,
Need some advice with regards to a prospective engine build.
I have a 01 S54 with ESS VT2 500 and want to run 18 psi, without meth.
With regards to the engine, would low cp, rods and bolts surfice and what would be the highest cp I could run?
Cheers,
Ajj.

...thanks Sticky for your input as this is all new to me.
Yep will be pretty much maxing it.
So in short no need to sleeve, L19 all round and should be safe/reliable @ 18 psi without meth/water?
Cheers.

...thanks Sticky for your input as this is all new to me.
Yep will be pretty much maxing it.
So in short no need to sleeve, L19 all round and should be safe/reliable @ 18 psi without meth/water?
Cheers.

It's hard for me to say if you can do up to 18 psi without meth/water, what fuel?

Edit: Answer above.

In that case I don't know if you can do 18 psi without detonation, I doubt it.

Evosport and VF-Engineering hit 600 whp at 16 psi on C16. They did 16 psi on 91 octane as well though. So, I doubt you will do 18 psi without race gas or water meth.

Please forgive my naivety, I thought boost was determined on pulley size.
OK, it would appear that there are many variables so here are my plans in full. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
My plan is to run Vortech charger, V3Si, to 18psi. Engine mods will include cams, 272/280, +1mm oversize valves, flowed/ported/polished head, L19 main and head bolts, Saad stage 1 fuel system and Aquamist water/meth kit to be added after hitting, or getting as close to 18psi. Also how much will my car benefit from running ProEFI? It was suggested to me not to use this as it does not control vanos.

It is to a degree but it's a measure of back pressure so if you change the cams and heads you will change the boost. I think you should shoot for a power rather than boost goal.

Originally Posted by UK M3

My plan is to run Vortech charger, V3Si, to 18psi. Engine mods will include cams, 272/280, +1mm oversize valves, flowed/ported/polished head, L19 main and head bolts, Saad stage 1 fuel system and Aquamist water/meth kit to be added after hitting, or getting as close to 18psi. Also how much will my car benefit from running ProEFI? It was suggested to me not to use this as it does not control vanos.

Agree, shoot for power.
So what combination would yield the highest bhp?

Go 10.0:1. use the V3SI blower if you want although a YSI will make more power but it's way more complicated and adds expense, and go from there. You don't even need to mess with the heads cams right now you can hit 600 whp as it sits.

Your power is going to be limited by the V3Si. I would suggest at least upgrading to a V1 or V2 T-trim. You can rev these blowers higher than the V3. With a built bottom end 600hp should be easily attainable.

...hmmm. With YSi I would have to change piping, which isn't a problem but all pipes associated with the charger system, as well as the intake manifold, have been ceramic coated.

@ THATDONFC, good plan.

Am I correct in thinking I should be looking at the V-1 Si?
Also will the stock intercooler from the ESS VT2 500 kit going to be large enough?
Last question for now, is the S54 head and cams really that good so that with the above modifications, they don't need to be modified?

With the YSi you would need to change more than just the piping. You would need a different bracket, dedicated sc drive belt either 10 rib serp or cog, some sort of special tensioning system if you go with the 10 rib serp. Trust me, I've done it.

If you go with a V1 or V2 make sure to get either the Si or T trim. I suggest the T trim because it already has HD bearings and it's ready to be worked hard.

Im not sure if your intercooler is sufficient because I am not familiar with it. Of course, I will always suggest an air to liquid cooler because I feel they are superior on these engines.

The stock head is great. If anything, I would put on some headers with large primaries and port match the exhaust. Don't touch anything else. You do not need to modify anything in the head to make that power. Our headers have 1 7/8" primaries to a 2.5" outlet as an example.